Summaries of books about Military History:
Shattered Sword
The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway
Jonathan Parshall|Anthony Tully
The book provides a comprehensive re-examination of the Battle of Midway from the Japanese perspective, challenging traditional narratives by utilizing Japanese sources to analyze the strategies, tactics, and operational errors of the Imperial Japanese Navy. It offers a detailed account of the aircraft carrier battle, debunking myths and highlighting the pivotal role of intelligence and decision-making in the outcome of the conflict.
See full summary
The Storm of Steel
Original 1929 Translation
Ernst Jünger
The book is a first-person account of the author's experiences as a German soldier on the Western Front during World War I. It vividly describes the horrors of trench warfare, the adrenaline of combat, and the camaraderie among soldiers, providing a detailed and unflinching portrayal of the brutality of war.
See full summary
Great Battles for Boys
WW2 Europe
Joe Giorello
The book presents an engaging exploration of significant World War II battles that took place in Europe, aimed at young readers. It uses a narrative style to detail the strategies, leaders, and outcomes of these pivotal conflicts, with the intent to educate and inspire interest in historical events.
See full summary
Tiny Blunders/Big Disasters
Thirty-Nine Tiny Mistakes That Changed the World Forever
Jared Knott
The book examines a series of small errors throughout history that had monumental consequences, altering the course of events in significant ways. It provides detailed accounts of these mistakes and their impacts on politics, war, technology, and culture, highlighting the fragility of human progress and the profound effects of seemingly minor oversights.
See full summary
Sons and Soldiers
The Untold Story of the Jews Who Escaped the Nazis and Returned with the U.S. Army to Fight Hitler
Bruce Henderson
The book chronicles the experiences of Jewish refugees who fled Nazi Germany and later joined the U.S. Army as military intelligence operatives, known as the Ritchie Boys. It details their harrowing escape from the Holocaust, their rigorous training at Camp Ritchie, and their pivotal role in interrogating German POWs during World War II.
See full summary
Ace of Aces
The Incredible Story of Pat Pattle - the Greatest Fighter Pilot of WWII
E. C. R. Baker
The book chronicles the life and combat exploits of South African fighter pilot Marmaduke "Pat" Pattle, detailing his exceptional skill and bravery as a pilot in the Royal Air Force during World War II. It provides an account of his numerous aerial victories, which are believed to make him one of the war's most successful fighter aces, before his untimely death in combat in 1941.
See full summary
Nam Sense
Surviving Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division
Arthur Wiknik
The book is a firsthand account of a young soldier's experience during the Vietnam War, chronicling his journey from a naive recruit to a battle-hardened veteran of the 101st Airborne Division. It provides vivid descriptions of combat, the camaraderie among soldiers, and the psychological and physical toll of the war.
See full summary
The Admirals
Nimitz, Halsey, Leahy, and King--The Five-Star Admirals Who Won the War at Sea
Walter R. Borneman
The book chronicles the lives and military careers of the United States Navy's four five-star admirals during World War II, exploring their individual contributions and strategic decisions that led to Allied victory in the Pacific theater. It delves into their personal backgrounds, inter-service rivalries, and the pivotal battles and campaigns they commanded, highlighting their leadership and impact on naval warfare.
See full summary
Inside Delta Force
The Story of America's Elite Counterterrorist Unit
Eric Haney
The book provides a firsthand account of the formation, training, and operational deployments of the U.S. Army's elite counterterrorism unit, Delta Force. It details the rigorous selection process, the intense preparation, and the various covert missions undertaken by the unit, as told by a founding member.
See full summary
Generation Kill
Evan Wright
The book is a firsthand account of a reporter embedded with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion of the United States Marine Corps during the early stages of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. It provides a detailed, gritty, and often raw look at the experiences of the young Marines as they face the realities of modern warfare and the complexities of the Iraqi landscape.
See full summary